Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Rick]

Morning all,

The show season is upon us, with many different types of event being held every weekend.

What type of event is your preference?

Static, park-up-and-watch-the-world-go-by shows (perhaps including a quick drive around a display arena), or a full-on road trip lasting one or more days?

Or maybe a concours, where entrants compete to be best-in-class, or best-in-show?

Perhaps autojumbles, with no show section as such, are your preference?

Have your tastes regarding event attendances changed since you first got into the hobby?

RJ
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[kevin2306]

I prefer the park up type shows. I find the road runs a little bit scary with a lot of the drivers concentrating too hard on following the car in front and staying a little bit too close for comfort if some sharp braking were to occur.
My fav show is like the one at Llangollen railway where entrants get free runs in the classic buses and trains.

Kev

[peter scott]

I don't go to purely static events unless there is a nice run to get there. There also needs to be some other attraction for me to take my old car to a static event. An autojumble, a museum etc etc.

Peter
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https://www.nostalgiatech.co.uk
1939 SS Jaguar 2 1/2 litre saloon

[Rootes75]

I like a mix of both although I notice the charge for many runs now is increasing quickly and on top of fuel I am opting out of a few of them now. My kids also like static shows where the cars go round the ring and there's a good mix of activities.
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Various Rootes Vehicles.

[Riley Blue]

Road runs every time - no point in having a car and not driving it! My local Riley Motor Club group has one arranged for this evening; The Elm Tree Inn to Elm Tree Inn Run through Derbyshire.
Next we week have a slightly longer run which we stage every five years, The London to Edinburgh Run though unlike the original competitors who drove through the night, we take a leisurely three days to drive the 400 miles.
Our 360 mile 'shake down' test before the L to E went without a hitch (famous last words!) so I'm really looking forward to the real thing.

Static shows? No thanks!
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David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[mikeC]

My tastes have changed dramatically - I used to love road runs, especially if there was an element of competition involved. Now I find I am quite happy to go to static events; a decent route to the venue is an added bonus, but I don't need an organised event as an excuse to take my car for a run.

[roverdriver]

Static is all right provided it is for a limited time- say a lunch stop on a run where townsfolk are invited to view the cars. Chatting with fellow enthusiasts can be enjoyable for a while, as can chatting with the general public, but please, not for hours on end!

The most pleasurable rallies that my wife and I have enjoyed were in New Zealand, where each entrant was given an instruction sheet to follow and a time, or better, an average speed to achieve to the next checkpoint. (Cars started at 1 or 2 minute intervals to keep them spaced for modern traffic.) That would be interspersed with some static 'tests' such as being asked the brand of tyre on a particular wheel, or drive the car forward and stop at one complete wheel revolution. These all required a level of skill (or good luck) as well as the passenger becoming involved in proceedings as the navigator and timekeeper.

In the late 1960's and early 1970's virtually all N.Z. rallies were run that way, in fact we found it quite boring, upon our return to Australia, to simply drive from point A to point B with only the scenery to view on the way. Especially as we could (and do) drive our historic vehicles about a lot in everyday tripping. The rallies were something special to look forward to.

Are N.Z. rallies still run like that?
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[MikeEdwards]

I prefer static events. Partly that's because my car is a bit on the uncomfortable side*, something I've been trying to improve but without much success so far.

But I'm starting to try to ensure that I've got something to do while I'm parked there all day, so although I haven't just abandoned smaller shows, I'm leaning towards stuff like the Pageant of Power or the Donington Historic (track action), or Tatton Park (autojumble, grounds). While I tend to run into people I know so I can chat for a while, it's nice to have something to occupy me.

* - I know, this is the wrong forum to write something like that, where there are so many who will be spluttering "but, but, you have a heater, and windows, and a roof!", but while I'd been starting to think my modern is showing it's age and might want some new suspension bushes, a 120-mile round trip to Donington on Sunday in the Firenza suddenly turned the modern into the most comfortable car in the world.

[Ronniej]

I enjoy both.
Most events I take my cars to involve a fair distance so I get the run anyway.
I drive my cars to Scottish events but confess to using a trailer now when venturing south of the border.
All the bigger rallies have auto-jumbles and other stalls so there is plenty to see and do.
Both Singer Car Clubs have an annual weekend which is based in a different part of the country each year. These involve a few days with runs out to places of interest with the Sunday being a “park up” day at a suitable location which is often a National Trust property where the cars provide an added attraction to the general public. We enjoy these immensely and regard them as part of our annual holidays.

Ronnie

[Ray White]

My tastes have changed twice. At one time I was an advocate for driving my Austin Swallow as much as possible but gradually, I have become nervous. "Trundles" is so small and slow that I feel terribly vulnerable - but I am loath to sell it.

My outlook changed when I took on the '26 Dodge Brothers tourer. This 3 1/2 litre American has right hand drive thanks to it being originally exported to Australia - so that's a bonus. The car is also rather larger than most with a high driving position so I feel much safer. While I don't go around with a "Mr Toad" approach to driving I do feel somewhat liberated by the experience so I am now quite happy to drive to events or just tootle about for the sake of it.

[Rick]

[BigJohn]

Both, I use shows to catch up with friends from over the years, and road runs for the fun of it. I like steam, country, and pure car shows as it mixes up the summer. Some shows a group of us will travel to up to 80ish miles to, and on Drive it Day we did a 106 mile road run. It's all about the social side and having fun.
I've no time for the "Ooh, I take my exhaust off in winter and buff it, it's original you know, and so are the 50yr old tyres, I don't take it to a show if it's raining either" brigade.
Drive it, it's a car, if you want to trailer and buff, collect antique furniture.
(I do accept some older specimens are safer towed to events, that's cars not owners!) Well, maybe some owners as well........

[Minxy]

Sadly I get bored very quickly so while I may attend a show it has to be 'escapeable' . Any show that insists you get there are this O'clock till that O'clock are a non starter for me. Shows where you can come and go are fine but by far the overriding factor is that they are free, I absolutely will not pay to show my car. I also find the attention rather boorish as well so if you did see my car at a show it is unlikely I would be with it.(I sound a bit miserable don't I? I'm not really )

Have to agree - much prefer driving than parking up.

[Ray White]

[MikeEdwards]

It's a subject that's been discussed a lot. I'd rather not pay, but that leaves me with only a very small number of shows, so if I pay, I have to get value for it, and that varies from show to show and is entirely subjective.

The start and end times are partly to do with (or blamed upon) the dreaded health and safety rules - no moving vehicles while there are fare-paying visitors - and partly so that the organiser can carry on taking money on the gate without visitors moaning that half the exhibits have left.